Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has stated there will be no discussions on the country's nuclear program ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit. In a statement released by North Korea's state news agency KCNA, she emphasized that as a nuclear-armed state, North Korea will not entertain any negotiations on its nuclear status. Kim Yo Jong also warned that North Korea will not tolerate any threats.
The statement comes just before Xi's scheduled visit to North Korea, which is set to begin tomorrow and end on Tuesday. China is one of North Korea's key political and economic allies, and Beijing's support is crucial for the internationally isolated nation.
North Korea has long pursued its nuclear and ballistic missile programs despite UN sanctions, consistently arguing that these programs are necessary for its security. In 2023, the country formally enshrined its status as a nuclear-armed state in its constitution. Analysts view Kim Yo Jong's comments as significant, given her influential role in the country's communication and foreign policy.
